Coolant Change Petrol (2L)

[BongoLawrence]

Hi,

I'm just following the guide to change the coolant in my Bongo. Following the instructions I drained around 9.5L out of the system.

Filling up again I've put in 6.5L and the header tank is now sitting at full. I ran the engine keeping a close eye on the temperature and coolant level. After about 5 minutes of idle the temperature gauge started to move so I turned off the engine and let it cool. The header tank needed a bit more 200-300ml, however I'm expecting to have to top up with the remaining coolant 3L?

Does this sound normal? Should I just keep Idling and then letting it cool as per the instructions?

Thanks,
Mike

[g8dhe]

Welcome!
6.5l doesn't sound much at all, do you still have the rear heating matrix in position and working? A lot of vehicles have it disconnected if there are leakage problems. The spec's say 13l variable not sure I have seen a volume by engine type quoted.

[BongoLawrence]

Yeah it still has the rear matrix.

After letting it cool, I was able to put in another 500ml. Then going through another 10 minutes of idle the temperature gauge started moving at around 7 minutes (I guess that's normal?). Then following the 5 minutes 2000rpm, 5 minutes 3000rpm several times I got a lot of gargling and air coming back up in the header tank. Whilst watching the temperature gauge like a hawk. And now after letting it cool down it's now taken just over 9L. Hopefully this all sounds ok...

I've got a coolant alarm and temperature gauge/alarm to fit... I think I'll do that before any long drives.

[BongoLawrence]

Thank you for the welcome btw!

Very excited to join the Bongo world! Purchased my bongo just over a month ago so have been trawling the website and forum. The information everyone provides is invaluable, certainly makes it far less intimidating and more enjoyable!

Thanks!

[g8dhe]

I must admit having a V6 I leave it to the garage and they use a vacuum system, to suck out the air and collapse the pipes then suck in the fresh coolant. However you need to be aware that your rubber pipes are in good condition otherwise collapsing them can itself cause damage to old pipes!

[Northern Bongolow]

Not familiar with the 2 ltr but I would imagine there would be a removable bolt to bleed the system, usually fitted at a high point on a rad pipe or thermostat housing etc.

[TheLongRoad]

I don’t remember having to ‘bleed’ air - the 2.0ltr is supposed to self bleed hence all the gurgling. There are plenty of pipes so it will take a while to settle. 9 or 10 litres sounds about right - I removed the rear heater matrix in ours. Check the metal pipes especially the one with a T piece under the drivers seat - those rust and leak.